Category: Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

During the action day, authorities in both countries seized assets worth at least several millions euros, including apartments and companies, as well as various luxury vehicles. . Large amounts of cash and quantities of cocaine and heroin were also seized. A full and complete evaluation of the seizures will be carried out in the coming days.

No complete estimate of the total profits of the cooperation between the three OCGs is available. However, information obtained through the JIT shows that the criminal networks were involved in payments, often in cash, of close to EUR 5 million and the trafficking of at least 1 800 kilos of cocaine and heroin.

Investigations into the linked criminal organisations were initiated in 2016 by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bari and the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana and the Albanian Police. On the Albanian side, one OCG, which operated from Durres, was responsible for the transport and wholesale distribution of large quantities of cocaine, heroin and cannabis trafficked between the Balkans, Northern Europe, South America and Puglia in Italy.

Two Italian-led criminal gangs carried out the cutting and packaging of illicit drugs and supplied cocaine and heroin from Latin America and Turkey to local gangs in organisations in Bari, Brindisi and Lecce.

The arrests in Italy and Albania are the result of a long-term collaboration through the JIT. This involved the use of wiretaps, intensive video surveillance, the monitoring of suspects and the analysis of encrypted chats. These chats were decrypted following intensive cooperation through Eurojust.

Since 2020, Eurojust has supported the authorities in Italy and Albania with the JIT. Furthermore, the Agency provided assistance with the execution of requests for Mutual Legal Assistance during the action day and gave cross-border judicial support. Albania is one of the twelve countries outside the European Union with a Liaison Prosecutor at Eurojust. The investigations were also coordinated and supported by the office of the dedicated security expert at the Italian Embassy in Tirana.

The judicial cooperation between Italy and Albania has already proven effective in recent years. Between 2018 and 2021, the Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate of Bari issued and executed 118 arrest warrants against alleged drug traffickers operating in both countries. As a result, various defendants were sentenced up to 20 years imprisonment.

This week’s operation was carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:

• Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office Bari – District Anti-Mafia Directorate; Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate Bari, under the coordination of the National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Directorate Rome, with support of the Office of the Security Expert at the Italian Embassy in Tirana
• Albania: Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) of Tirana; Albanian Police

Source: Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

Over the past five years, Eurojust’s case workload has increased by more than 60%. In 2024 alone, the Agency handled nearly 13 000 cross-border crime cases. This reflects the unprecedented pace at which organised crime in Europe is evolving, as well as national authorities’ reliance on Eurojust to support complex international investigations.

Eurojust President, Michael Schmid, commented: With a consistently high number of cases in recent years, our need for close cooperation with prosecutors and judges – both within Europe and beyond – is greater than ever. Thanks to our expanded global partnerships in 2024, we can ensure that criminals are held accountable and citizens are kept safe.

To further strengthen the fight against organised crime, Eurojust launched the European Judicial Organised Crime Network (EJOCN) in September 2024. This expert hub goes beyond investigation-based collaboration and combats organised crime strategically. Even closer cooperation and direct dialogue between judicial authorities will help to resolve legal challenges and align judicial strategies when investigating and prosecuting organised crime.

The EJOCN’s first priority is combating drug-related organised crime connected to European ports – key transit points for cocaine and other narcotics destined for the EU. Drug trafficking has been identified as the leading criminal activity in Europe, involving 50% of all criminal networks. The supply of illicit drugs continues to rise, as does the associated violence, making drug trafficking one of the most dangerous and lucrative crimes in the EU.

Successfully tackling the rise in drug trafficking requires close cooperation with judicial authorities in Latin America, where most narcotics smuggled into Europe originate. In 2024, Eurojust took a significant step in enhancing ties with Latin American partners by signing six Working Arrangements with the Prosecution Services of Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Peru. These agreements will strengthen cooperation in key areas such as drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and cybercrime.

Over the past three years, the number of Eurojust supported joint investigation teams involving Latin American countries has steadily increased, with Brazil participating in the highest number. In 2024, Latin American countries participated in three times as many coordination meetings on organised crime and drug trafficking cases as in 2023.

In addition to its Latin American partnerships, Eurojust works with a broad range of third countries to ensure that national borders do not hinder the prosecution of crime or the delivery of justice. The Agency’s recently adopted Strategy on Cooperation with International Partners reinforces Eurojust’s role as a gateway for cross-border judicial cooperation within and beyond the EU.

In 2024, 1 022 newly opened cases handled by the Agency involved one or more third countries. Eurojust’s international cooperation continues to increase the number of registered cases at the Agency, with 378 new cases owned by third countries opened in 2024 alone. The United Kingdom, followed by Switzerland and Albania, were the non-EU countries involved in the most cases at Eurojust in 2024.

Third countries with the highest participation in Eurojust cases in 2024

During the year, international agreements on cooperation with Eurojust were signed with Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the United Arab Emirates joined as a new member of the Agency’s network of Contact Points. In March 2024, Eurojust welcomed its first Liaison Prosecutor for Iceland, strengthening cooperation with Icelandic judicial authorities. Enhanced collaboration with South Partner and Western Balkan countries was also achieved through the EuroMed Justice and Western Balkans Criminal Justice projects, both supported by Eurojust.

Eurojust’s expanded global network enabled the Agency to deliver impressive operational outcomes in 2024. It contributed to the arrest of more than 1 200 suspects and the seizure and freezing of criminal assets worth over EUR 1 billion. The Agency also contributed to the seizure of drugs worth almost EUR 20 billion.

Reflecting the growing scale of the challenge, the criminal investigations handled by Eurojust in 2024 involved more than three times as many victims and almost double the financial damages compared to 2023. Moreover, the Agency supported 25% more joint investigation teams than in the previous year.

The top three crime types handled by the Agency in 2024 continued to be swindling and fraud, drug trafficking and money laundering. Notably, the number of core international crime cases rose by 40%, while cybercrime cases increased by one-third and intellectual property crime cases by 20%.

Overview of Eurojust-referred cases by crime type in 2024

Eurojust continued to support national authorities through the organisation of 640 international coordination meetings and 32 coordination centres, as well as operational support for 361 joint investigation teams – over half of which were funded by the Agency. Eurojust also assisted with executing judicial cooperation tools such as European Arrest Warrants and European Investigation Orders, helping national authorities bring offenders to justice and deliver real results for victims and communities.

More information:

Eurojust Annual Report 2024:

Key visuals:

Key cases in 2024:

Source: Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

Using the method of cyber trading, the group was able to make considerable profits and defraud victims of their substantial savings. The criminals created a fake online trading platform that promised large profits in a short period of time. After initially transferring modest sums of money to the platform, victims are then persuaded by fake charts that they will make large profits. Using psychological pressure, fake brokers call their victims to convince them to transfer higher amounts to the platform. The money transferred by the victims is never invested and instead goes directly to the criminal group. Authorities are aware of approximately 100 victims, but they believe more people have fallen victim to the OCG. 

German authorities started investigating the fake platform after a married couple reported the scam to the police. The initial investigation focused on the holder of the bank account to which the couple had transferred their savings. The authorities soon uncovered an international criminal group behind the fake investment platform. On 6 September 2022, during the first action day in this investigation, authorities searched multiple locations in Belgium and Latvia, arrested two suspects and seized important evidence. This evidence was instrumental in identifying seven more members of the criminal group, including the managers of the call centres used to convince victims to invest more money. 

The second action day took place on 13 May 2025. A total of eight searches took place simultaneously in Albania, Cyprus and Israel and executed six interrogations.  During the searches, authorities seized evidence to continue the investigation such as electronic devices and documents as well as cash.  A suspect in Cyprus was arrested with the intention of either surrendering or extraditing them to Germany. Investigations into the investment fraud will continue. 

As victims were identified across the world and the group operated globally, international cooperation was essential. Eurojust ensured that judicial authorities worked together smoothly and efficiently from the start of the investigation in 2022. For the second phase of the investigation, Eurojust facilitated all judicial cooperation requests and coordinated the action day from its headquarters in The Hague. Europol provided operational support throughout the investigation, deploying mobile offices in Israel, Albania and the United Kingdom. A virtual command post was also set up by Europol to facilitate real-time coordination and intelligence sharing.

The following authorities carried out the operations:

• Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Itzehoe Regional Court, Department for Combating Cybercrime; District Criminal Investigation Office Kiel
• Cyprus: Attorney General’s Office; Cyprus Police; Unit for Combating Money Laundering (MOKAS)
• Albania: Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organised Crime
• United Kingdom: National Crime Agency
• Israel: Israeli Police –  National Cybercrime Unit, LAHAV 433 together with the Coordination and Operational Division in the Intelligence Branch

This operation was carried out as part of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).

EMPACT tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the European Union. EMPACT strengthens intelligence and strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities. Fraud, economic and financial crimes are among the priorities for the 2022-2025 Policy Cycle.

Source: Eurojust

The suspect is the son of a prominent entrepreneur in Ukraine, who owned a defence company. Following the Russian invasion, profits began to decline, and the owners are suspected of having illegally sold their majority stake to representatives of a foreign state.

To hide the illegal profits gained from the sale, the owner’s son bought properties, in several countries including France and Monaco. He is believed to have subsequently laundered hundreds of millions of euros in profits.

In France alone, he is suspected of having laundered over EUR 57 million between 2010 and 2023. He also laundered profits from illegal arms sales by his father, the owner of the defence company. Soon after opening a money laundering investigation, the French authorities froze the suspects’ assets worth EUR 57 million with the intention of returning them to Ukraine.

Investigations continued in the framework of a joint investigation team (JIT) set up at Eurojust, facilitating the judicial cooperation between the three countries. French, Ukrainian and Monegasque authorities worked together with support from Eurojust to establish a judicial strategy and exchange information on the illegal activities.

Their collaboration resulted in the arrest of the son in Monaco on 28 April. The French, Ukrainian and Monegasque authorities are currently questioning him as part of the JIT. During the operation, several documents of value to the investigation were discovered in Monaco. The owner of the defence company is already on trial in Ukraine for crimes against national security and is now suspected of money laundering as well.

The following authorities carried out the operations:

• France: JUNALCO (National Jurisdiction against Organised Crime); Public Prosecution Office Paris; ONAF (National Office against Fraud)
• Ukraine: Prosecutor General’s Office; Security Service of Ukraine
• Monaco: Prosecutor General’s Office of Monaco; Directorate of Public Safety

Source: Eurojust

Eurojust President Mr Michael Schmid said: Organised crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated and international, operating seamlessly across both physical and digital borders. To meet this challenge, prosecutors from different countries and continents need to unite and devise strategies for closer cooperation. It is not enough to temporarily disrupt criminal networks. We need to hold these criminals accountable in court. That is why I am proud to sign this Working Arrangement with our South Korean counterparts today, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation and more impactful joint casework.

Close inter-state cooperation is essential to root out transnational crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking and cybercrimes, including online sexual abuse and hacking, said Minister of Justice of the Republic of Korea Mr. Park Sung-jae in his remark. Through the Working Arrangement signed today, we are making a step forward to reinforce criminal justice cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the European Union.

As organised crime is expanding on a global scale, judicial cooperation across borders on a worldwide level is of paramount importance for the European Union. The signing of Working Arrangements with partner countries is in line with the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime, supporting judicial authorities in the EU to have effective and reliable cooperation with national authorities outside the Union.

Working Arrangements facilitate the exchange of best practice and provide for more direct and straightforward contact with judicial authorities outside the EU. They can also assist with the access of partner countries’ authorities to Eurojust’s operational cooperation tools in investigations involving at least one EU Member State.

A Working Arrangement is no basis for the exchange of operational personal data, but formalises the role of the Eurojust Contact Point, with the aim of ensuring the more rapid execution of requests for judicial cooperation on both sides. As of November 2023, Eurojust has signed cooperation agreements with Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ecuador, Nigeria, Panama and Peru, as well as the Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors Offices (AIAMP).

More information on Eurojust’s international cooperation can be found in the FAQ on the Working Arrangement with South Korea.

Source: Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

Technological advancements create new opportunities for criminals to exploit the internet’s speed, convenience, and anonymity. The resulting cyber threats know no borders, causing harm and posing real threats to victims worldwide. National authorities are taking measures to combat this growing threat, but often face challenges in keeping pace with the rapidly changing technical environment.

Prosecutors and judges across the EU are grappling with new legal problems and grey areas, such as cooperating with service providers that hold crucial electronic evidence, seizing cryptocurrencies under the control of crypto assets service providers or addressing the complex phenomena of cyber-enabled terrorism. The EJCN’s 18th Plenary Meeting addressed these challenges head-on, featuring discussions on key topics such as artificial intelligence, crypto assets, the E-evidence Package and terrorist networks operating online. The meeting included presentations on case studies, including the criminal use of malicious Large Language Models (LLMs) and the abuse of stablecoins, highlighting the evolving nature of cyber threats.

A restricted session on the second day allowed participants to share updates on national legislations, judgments, and cases. Breakout sessions covered topics such as artificial intelligence, crypto assets, e-evidence and training for the judiciary on cyber-related topics, providing a platform for participants to share experiences and anticipate future challenges. The meeting was an important gathering of experts and stakeholders, offering valuable insights and discussions on the key challenges facing the cybercrime industry, and demonstrating the EJCN’s commitment to supporting its members in their efforts to combat cybercrime.

Established in 2016, the EJCN plays a vital role in fostering cooperation and knowledge-sharing among practitioners specialising in countering cybercrime, with the goal of increasing the efficiency of investigations and prosecutions. With the support of key partner Eurojust, the EJCN works to enhance cooperation between national authorities, addressing the borderless nature of cybercrime and the challenges it poses.